radioembolizaiton

Could you might mean Radio Frequency Ablation if i am wrong then sorry

Good luck with BCBS.  Like most other health insurance companies, they are a nightmare to deal with.  One thing I have learned is to call and ask twice before getting any procedure done, keeping track of the time and the name of the rep I talked with and to make notes.  After approving my partial neprhectomy last July, they reversed course on me and told me I could not get the procedure done by the doctor that they said was in my network.  It took a threat of a lawsuit and calling a state assemblywoman who made a call to BCBS to get my procedure approved.

Lesson learned--get everything approved in advance.

sledhead said:

yttrium 90

Radioembolization uses microscopic spheres filled with radiation called yttrium 90 & is injected into the hepatic artery to the tumors. The spheres cutoff the blood supply to the tumors as well as penetrate them with radiation. Radiofrequency Ablation uses a probe to in a sense burn the tumor(s). Radioembolization can be used for whole liver treatment regardless of tumor size where as rfa has a limit of around  3cm I believe. The problem with radioembolization is that insurance companies view it as off-labe for rcc & can deny coverage. I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this treatment for rcc mets & insurance coverage.

Thanks